Supreme Court of Ghana
The judicial system in Ghana is mainly due to the British jurisdiction of the colonial period.
The civil law currently in force in Ghana is based on the legal standards of the British Common Law ( common law ), the doctrines of equity ( the ( unwritten ) doctrines of equity law ) and the general statutes ( the ( written ) general statutory law ), which in England in 1874 in force were set and since then modified by subsequent regulations over again.
However, the common law is the legal basis of the most personal and contractual legal relationships in Ghana.
The Ghanaian criminal law is based on the English Criminal Law Criminal Procedure Code derived ( Criminal Procedure Code ), which came into force in 1960 and has since been supplemented several times.
Courts in Ghana
The highest authority of the Ghanaian case law the Superior Court of Judicature, consisting of the Supreme Court ( Supreme Court ), the Court of Appeal ( Court of Appeal ), the High Court ( High Court ) and a Regional Tribunal ( Tribunal Regional ).
The Lower courts are the district courts (Circuit Courts ), district tribunals (Circuit Tribunal ) and other courts as may be established by legislation.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court ( Supreme Court ) is composed of the Chief Justice ( Chief Justice ) and no less than nine other judges. He is the ultimate court of appeal in Ghana and also the holder of the legislative government authority in matters relating to the enforcement and interpretation of the Constitution.
Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal ( Court of Appeal ) is composed of the Chief Justice ( Chief Justice ) and no less than five other judges ( Judges of the Court of Appeal ). It has jurisdiction over the hearing and decision on appeals to all judicial decisions, judgments, orders or decrees of the High Court.
High Court
The High Court ( High Court ) is composed of the Chief Justice ( Chief Justice ) and no less than 12 other judges ( Judges of the High Court ). It shall exercise jurisdiction at first instance in all matters of civil and criminal law except in the case of offenses under accusation of treason. In criminal cases, trial by jury be practiced in Ghana, since Ghana's Criminal Procedure Code determines which will be carried out by a jury jury or with the support of judicial assessors ( assessor ) any indictment investigations.
District courts
The District Courts (Circuit Courts ) practice the Court of first instance in civil disputes the amount in dispute 100,000 (old ) does not exceed Cedis. You also have the jurisdiction over the guardianship and custody of children. In addition, they also possess the first-instance jurisdiction in all criminal cases, except in respect of offenses for which is provided as the maximum punishment or the death penalty for offenses under accusation of treason. The district courts are the court of appeal on decisions of district courts within their judicial district.
District courts
Each administrative district in Ghana is assigned at least one District Magistrate ( District Magistrate ), which has the first-instance jurisdiction over civil disputes, the dispute 50,000 (old ) does not exceed Cedis. In addition, the district magistrates have jurisdiction criminal cases to negotiate with the exception of " crime of the first degree " and offenses more serious nature for which a District Court or the High Court are either responsible.
In addition to the District Magistrate district courts exist, where you on the seriousness of the offense negotiated between " grade I district courts " ( Grade I District Courts ) and " grade II district courts " (Grade II District Courts ) differentiated. The grade I district courts have the power to punish offenses with a penalty of up to 1,000 (old ) cedis or imprisonment up to two years. A grade II district court may apply a penalty to 500 ( old ) Cedis impose or order a prison sentence of up to 12 months.
District courts have no appeal competence except in disputes relating to rent and lease, the ( Rent Act ) are within the scope of the Mietgesetzes.
Juvenile courts
The Juvenile Court ( Juvenile Courts ) are responsible for all offenses in which people are involved under the age of 17 years with the exception of cases in which they are charged with one or more adults. Juvenile courts are composed of a Chairman ( Chairman ) and not less than two other members, the ( Chief Justice ) are appointed in consultation with the other members of the Juvenile Court by Chief Justice. The Chairman of the Juvenile Court must be a member of the district magistrate or a licensed attorney. The juvenile court may impose appropriate measures for the protection and supervision of a neglected child and make binding agreements with parents to ensure a future "good" behavior of the child.
Regional People's Tribunals
The Regional People's Tribunals (Regional Public Tribunal ) lead hearings on criminal offenses, prices, rents, foreign exchange regulations, theft, fraud, forgery, corruption concern or any other offenses which can be assigned to them by government agencies.
National People's Tribunal
The National People's Tribunal ( National Public Tribunal ) is the court of appeal for decisions of the Regional People's tribunals. The decisions of the National People's Tribunal are final and can not be subject to further appeal. The Tribunal consists of at least three and not more than five persons, one of which acts as a Chairman ( Chairman ).
Military Special Tribunal
The Military Special Tribunal (Special Military Tribunal ) leads hearings in respect of offenses relating to the members of the Ghana Armed Forces. It consists of five to seven members.
Quick trial procedures
In addition, 2001 Quick trial procedures were ( fast-track ' court procedures ) adopted to relieve the courts of their work and to selectively and rapidly crimes to punish former officials in years.
- Court by State
- Law ( Ghana)